Anyone who uses a computer or mobile equipment, one way or another, install applications that perform a particular task. But not every user clearly understands what a computer program is, how it works, how it is created, etc. We will have to clarify this issue.

What is a computer program in general terms?

Based on the general definition offered by many Internet resources, for some reason the concept of a program or application in most cases is associated exclusively with executable files in the format EXE, COM, etc. We beg to differ with this statement.

Almost all modern computer programs, the list of classifications of which will be given a little later, do not work on their own. Yes, there is an executable file, but this is not enough. We also need some additional components loaded into the same RAM.

However, the very concept of a program as such can be reduced to the fact that it is a certain set of commands and instructions transmitted to the central processor for processing or performing corresponding calculations, and in a strictly defined sequence.

So that the machine understands what is being sent to certain moment a command for processing and execution, regardless of the programming language in which the application is written, uses a universal tool - binary code, which is a sequence of zeros and ones. You can also find the use of ternary or hexadecimal code, but, as a rule, in currently their use is highly limited.

Computer program classes

As for the classification of any software, today there are quite a lot of systems that include division by type.

However, in all classification systems the following computer programs are distinguished (the list is given below):

• primary input/output systems (BIOS, UEFI);
• system programs and their components (operating systems and their own services);
• service and maintenance software;
• development environments (program creation);
• application software (narrowly focused user programs installed on a computer to perform specific tasks).

It should not be surprising that even operating systems or BIOS are included in the list. Any modern OS ensures user interaction with computer software and hardware through a command or GUI, and the primary system is responsible for storing information about all “hardware” components and testing the equipment at the stage of turning on the computer.

How are applications created?

There is no point in delving too deeply into development, since it may require at least basic knowledge of programming languages.

It is enough to note that creating computer programs comes down to writing code in the language itself (or using development environments such as the Java SDK), testing the application in the environment itself, and compiling it (converting it into machine-readable code).

How do most programs work?

The user of computer programs does not always understand how it all works. The simplest applications, consisting of a single executable file, are disappearing into oblivion. Today, any more or less serious program uses executable files only to launch the main interface, after which dynamic libraries containing executable codes and commands are loaded into RAM, and also calls are made to the drivers that control the computer hardware to activate their corresponding functions.

In terms of how applications work, this explanation is very primitive, however, if you don’t delve into the essence system processes, even the average user will understand how it all functions.

Practical use

Using computer programs in most cases comes down to running an executable file in EXE format, which is created after installing the application on the computer (in mobile devices other formats apply). The same executable components are provided for installation, usually named Setup.exe (for system updates Setup.msi). But it is not always the case.

For example, some software components presented exclusively as dynamic DLLs, are capable of running only in a different software environment.

The most striking example is VST synthesizers and effects that connect to music editors and sequencers through an appropriate interface or host. What is a computer program in this sense? This is not even a program, but a component that contains a set of commands that are executed when connected to the interface and loaded into RAM. Only from the “RAM” is a message sent for processing central processor, and not vice versa, as is the case with executable files.

Compatibility issues

It is clear that to create some universal application, which would work on absolutely all known operating systems and devices, is impossible even in principle. Nevertheless, such attempts are being made, and quite unsuccessfully (at least in Windows there is something similar).

What are they worth? cloud services, allowing access to storing or editing information of any type without physically installing software on the user terminal. Storages or editors can be accessed from any device (PC, laptops, smartphones, tablets). And multimedia is not discussed at all. Through the web interface, the user of any device gets access to media content (the same YouTube hosting).

Instead of a total

As you can see, the question of what a computer program is has quite a lot of answers. On the one hand, this seems to be a set of commands, however, if you look at the question a little more broadly, we can conclude that this is a set of codes or components that determine the behavior of the operating system as a whole and the operations performed by the hardware.

Thus, it is not difficult to conclude that any program or application in itself is worthless if there is no software environment(OS) in which they will be able to work, or devices installed on motherboard, the functions of which will be required to perform certain tasks at the current moment.

It remains to add that only the simplest interpretations of computer programs, the principles of their creation and application were given here. In fact, everything is much more complicated; considering all aspects can take quite a lot of time. However, if you dig deep into the relevant literature, you will find detailed instructions for any particular software product not so difficult (as a rule, such descriptions are even present on download sites in the form of preliminary information about the capabilities of downloaded applications).

Introduction

Personal computers (PCs) are increasingly becoming part of our lives and occupy far from the last place in it. If some 15 years ago they could only be seen in reputable organizations, today a PC is in every store, office, cafe, library or apartment.

Today, computers in human activity are used in many areas - for accounting and creating complex scientific models, designing and creating music, storing and retrieving information in databases, learning, playing games and listening to music. You need to know a computer and be able to use it. Not every person who works on a computer imagines the completely accurate composition of a PC.

Professionals working outside the computer field consider hardware knowledge an indispensable component of their competence. personal computer, at least its basic technical characteristics. There is especially great interest in computers among young people, who widely use them for their own purposes.

The relevance of the chosen topic is due to the fact that the modern computer market is so diverse that it is not easy to determine the PC configuration with the required characteristics. It’s practically impossible to do without special knowledge here.

In this regard, the goal course work is the study of the basic devices of a modern PC. In accordance with the goal, the following tasks were set:

Learn about the history of computers

Learn the basic components of a PC

Master their basic properties and characteristics

History of the computer

The word “computer” means “calculator”, that is, a device for computing. The need for automation of calculations arose a long time ago. Many thousands of years ago, pebbles, counting sticks and similar devices were used. More than 1500 years ago, the so-called counting boards were invented; their descendant is the well-known abacus.

In 1642, French scientist, physicist and philosopher Blaise Pascal invented the adding machine - a mechanical device for adding numbers. Pascal's calculating machine was conceived by him back in 1640. Work on the adding machine lasted about five years, about fifty different models were made, and was completed in 1645. In 1649, Pascal received a “royal privilege” (patent), giving the right to manufacture and sell the machine.

A number of such machines were actually manufactured and sold by him. Subsequently, many different designs of mechanical calculating machines were proposed, but they became widely used only 200 years later, in the 19th century, when their industrial production became possible. Such machines began to be called adding machines - they mechanized all four operations of arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Arithmometers and their development - electromechanical keyboard calculating machines were used until the 60s of the last century, when they were replaced by electronic microcalculators.

The mechanical computers discussed above were manual, that is, they required operator participation in the calculation process. For each operation, it was necessary to enter the initial data into the machine and set the counting elements of the machine in motion to perform the operation. From time to time it was necessary to read and write the results obtained and monitor the correctness of the calculations.

Is it possible to create an automatic computing machine that would carry out the required calculations without human intervention? The first to pose this question and take serious steps to substantiate a positive answer to it was the remarkable English scientist, engineer and inventor Charles Babbage, who tried to build an automatic computing device (he called it an analytical engine) operating without human intervention - under the control of punched cards.

The Analytical Engine was not built, but Babbage made more than 200 drawings of its various components, about 30 options for the general layout of the machine, and manufactured some devices at his own expense.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, the so-called calculating and analytical machines, built on the development of the ideas of Pascal and Babbage, became widespread. To read punched cards, they began to use electric contact devices, and an electric motor was used to drive the rotation of counting wheels. Subsequently, machines were designed in which numbers were stored in binary form using electric relay groups. Aiken in the USA, Zuse in Germany and others designed so-called relay machines, which were used until the early 60s, competing with electronic computers that had already appeared then.

The first true electronic universal Calculating machine was built at the end of 1945; the machine was called ENIAC (ENIAC - Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, electronic digital integrator and computer). This structure contained over 18 thousand vacuum tubes and consumed about 150 kW of power.

Since 1944, one of the greatest American mathematicians, John Von Neumann, took part in the creation of electronic computers. He, in the article “Preliminary Consideration of the Logical Design of an Electronic Computing Device,” published in 1946 jointly with G. Goldstein and A. Burks, expressed two ideas that are used in all electronic computers to this day: the use of the binary number system and the stored program principle . Storing a program in the machine's memory allows commands to be converted while the machine is running, which makes the computing process flexible.

The computers of the 40s and 50s were very large devices and very expensive. However, in the struggle for buyers, companies that produced computers sought to make their products more compact and cheaper. In 1965, Digital Equipment released the first mini-computer, the PDP-8, the size of a refrigerator and costing $20,000. Later with the invention integrated circuits- chips - it became possible to further reduce the size and reduce the cost of computers. In 1975, the first commercially distributed computer, the Altair-8800, was released, built on the Intel-8080 microprocessor. It cost $500. The production of personal computers began to grow.

In 1979, IBM, a world leader in the development and production of large computers, decided to try its hand at the personal computer market. In 1981 new computer called IBM PC was presented to the public.

A few years later, IBM personal computers became market leaders. In fact, the IBM PC became the standard for personal computers. Now such computers (compatible with IBM PC) make up about 90% of all personal computers produced in the world.

The main advantage of IBM computers is the so-called open architecture principle, that is, the ability to assemble a computer from various blocks, connecting them to the motherboard using standard connectors - slots. This allows you to increase the amount of memory, install new devices for image processing, etc.

The modern personal computer surpasses the first in its capabilities, just as the first electronic computer surpassed Pascal's calculating machine. However, there are areas of human activity where their power is insufficient. This applies to the processing of very large amounts of information in scientific research, engineering calculations, creating videos. In these cases, they make it possible to store and process completely unimaginable amounts of information. If a personal computer stores hundreds of GB of information and has an operating speed of hundreds of millions of operations per second, then a supercomputer can store up to thousands of GB of information and process it at a speed of several trillion operations per second.

To successfully work on a personal computer, it is not necessary to know its structure. However, it is better to know what devices are included in the PC, the basic principles of their operation and characteristics. This will allow you to consciously use everything technical capabilities computer, improve it.

The computer configurator with compatibility check allows you to quickly assemble a system unit with the user’s needs technical characteristics. Using our online designer, you can easily assemble a reliable office machine, a home multimedia system unit, or a powerful gaming setup.

Computer assembly online

Nowadays, like many years before, assembling a computer from independently selected components is popular. This is a good opportunity to choose what you want. Nothing limits you; there are hundreds of options available for assembly, among which there is sure to be one you like.

Our online store offers the opportunity to assemble a computer online through the configurator. In him this process presented in the form of component categories, from processor to power supply. Each category contains an expanded range of models with descriptions of characteristics for ease of selection.

To simplify the selection of components, the configurator has a compatibility filter for the main components of the assembly. For example, by selecting a specific processor, the following components are automatically filtered by compatibility. Also, you will be presented with a choice to install the operating system. After completing the assembly process, you receive the final result based on three parameters: price, technical data, rendered image. After placing an order and confirming it by phone, our specialists assemble this kit and check its functionality.

The advantage of this method of purchasing system unit is that you not only choose the components you want, but also have the opportunity to choose the brand or manufacturer of the part.

Having assembled a certain configuration and completed by pressing the assemble/buy buttons, the assembly is assigned a specific serial number, by typing it in the product search bar, you can find this PC and send a link to it to friends or acquaintances for consultation or recommending them for purchase.

An important feature of our configurator is the “get an expert’s opinion” function by sending your request via this form, You will receive a detailed answer with a recommendation for email, specified by you.

Try it and see for yourself - assembling a computer online is easy and simple! In case of difficulties, you can always get advice from our specialists on all issues that interest you.

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Personal computer technology has come a long way in recent decades and continues to evolve at an astonishing rate. Machines that once barely fit in huge spaces are now easy to fit into the palm of your hand. They not only decreased in size.

Today's personal computer is incomparably more powerful than the model released just a few years ago.

Modern computers are made up of many parts that work together to create a stable, efficient tool.

Continuous development of equipment and software make the process of learning to work with a computer a difficult task that requires constant improvement and understanding. But some concepts and details remain unchanged. Let's look at them and become one step closer to great knowledge about the operation of a personal computer and an understanding of how a computer works.

Types of personal computers

Various computer companies make their products very similar. Each manufacturer uses the same spare parts to create a computer; they can only be distinguished by a sticker from a particular company. Even Apple computers, known for their exceptional design, are essentially no different from their competitors in terms of their technical design.

Laptops and desktop computers also use similar functional parts. Only laptops are created from smaller copies of the same parts as desktop computers. In other words, if you understand how, for example, a desktop computer works, then it will not be difficult for you to understand the operation of all other computers, for example, to understand the operation of laptops.

Vital parts of any computer

Computers are made up of several electronic chips, each of which has a specific function. The vital parts found in every computer include

• motherboard,
• HDD,
• CPU,
• RAM (Random Access Memory),
• video card,
• power supply and
• other additional accessories,
• for example, such as disk drives and wireless network cards.

Motherboard

A motherboard is a large board (namely a board or, as they sometimes say, printed circuit board, using radio-electronic terminology), to which all other parts of the computer are attached.

Computer motherboard

The motherboard acts as a control station that connects and integrates other parts (hence the name “motherboard”).

For example, the processor, RAM and video card are connected directly to the motherboard. It is also quite common to see a configuration where the video card is mounted directly on the motherboard. Each of these computer elements deals with different aspects of information processing.

RAM

RAM stores current working information on the computer. When you open a program, such as an Internet browser, some of the random access memory dedicated to the operation of this browser.

After turning off the computer, all information from RAM is automatically deleted. The user can save his works (texts, drawings, etc.), for example, on a hard drive.

Processor and video card

The processor and video card process the information necessary to execute various functions in computer.

For example, running a game on a computer requires constant analysis of information. Performing this task falls on the processor and video card.

CPU

The processor receives, processes and sends processed information to other computer devices. While the video card provides output of processed information to the computer monitor screen (hence the name “video” card).

HDD

The hard drive acts as memory for long-term storage of information. HDD also called in computer slang

• Winchester,
• sometimes - hard or
• hard disk.

The last name is borrowed from in English: Hard Disk.

In RAM, information is stored only while the computer is running (this is the so-called volatile memory).

And in the hard drive, information is stored even when the computer is turned off (this is the so-called non-volatile memory).

Computer information, music, movies and photos are stored on the hard drive. This space is also used to store programs such as text editors or games.

power unit

Finally, an important element of a computer is the electrical power supply, which distributes the necessary electricity to operate each part of the computer. One of the main cords from the power supply goes to the motherboard to power the various chips.

Other power cords are used to operate devices mounted separately from the motherboard, such as power hard drives, CD drives, computer cooling fans and other elements.

In addition, laptops have battery so that the user can, if necessary, work for some time without a connection charger laptop to 220V network.

Accessories

There are many computer parts, which are not necessary for the functioning of the system, but which are undoubtedly important for users. These extras include things like CD and DVD drives, wireless cards, TV tuners, sound cards and etc.

Various types drives (CD-DVD-etc.) are not connected directly to the motherboard, but are connected to it and to the power supply using several cables. The connection cable to the motherboard carries information to and from the drives, and the connection cable to the power supply provides the drive with electricity to operate.

Wireless Internet cards, TV tuners and sound cards connect directly to the motherboard and do not require separate cables to supply power from the network. Each of these devices provides a specific function in the computer. For example, they give more high quality sound or the ability to watch programs on a computer monitor.

operating system

Different operating systems

The combination of hardware creates a computer that is capable of complex calculations and has a huge amount of memory for storing information. But without a user interface (without the ability for a human user to use it in their work), the work of a computer will be meaningless.

This is exactly what the operating system is designed for: to provide access to computer resources to ordinary users, that is, not specially trained programmers or system administrators, but to ordinary people.

The operating system is installed on the hard drive of your computer.

The main types of operating systems are

• Windows
• Android,
• Mac OS or
• Linux.

The operating system is big program, consisting of a large number system files. The operating system creates visual (visual, understandable) interfaces for simple and sometimes untrained users to allow these users to access information and be able to navigate the computer.

Application programs

An operating system alone is not enough to successfully work on a computer; it only allows you to use the computing power of the computer. To perform “useful” work, application programs are also needed. “Applied” - this is because they help users perform quite applied actions, for example, editing texts, searching for information on the Internet, drawing pictures and drawings, listening to music, watching movies, etc.

Several different application programs can be used to perform the same actions. For example, you can edit texts using the Notepad program, or you can do this using the Microsoft application Office Word. In Notepad there are some possibilities for editing text, in Word there are others, much more extensive. But both programs allow you to ultimately print or edit text.

You can also watch movies using different programs. This is, for example, Flash Player as part of Internet browsers, or Windows Media Player as part of the operating room Windows systems, or Real Player, etc. The choice depends on many factors, including user preferences, the format of the video images being viewed, the requirements for image and sound quality, etc.

You can edit and draw pictures using a fairly simple Paint programs V part of Windows, for example, with the help of powerful Photo programs Shop or Corel Draw, which have undeniably more opportunities for image editing, but at the same time are much more difficult to learn and work with.

You can also search for information on the Internet using: Internet Explorer included in Windows Mozila Firefox, Google Chrome etc. The choice depends on many factors. But first of all, this is influenced by the preferences of computer users, as well as the amenities provided, additional services, the ability to customize browsers for the user’s tasks, etc.

An operating system is rather a given, which not all personal computer users can choose. Although there is a known category of computer users who are much more enthusiastic about reinstalling and adjusting operating systems than working with application programs. But this is rather an exception that confirms the main rule.

At the same time, users usually choose application programs independently. They choose based on their tasks that they want to solve using personal computers.

It is with application programs that a personal computer becomes a useful tool for users to work on it. It is application programs that “revive” the computer, making it an indispensable assistant at work, at home, while traveling, for hobbies, etc.

Tying it all together

Summarizing the above, we can state that computers are a very successful and extremely useful combination of hardware and software. To the question “How does a computer work?” can be answered with the following formula:

computer = hard + software,

or the same thing “in Russian”,

computer = hardware + programs.

The above formula clearly shows that the problems that arise on the computer are related

• or with the computer hardware (i.e. hardware),
• or with the software part of the computer (i.e. with operating system or with an application program).

The hardware of a personal computer is

• motherboard with other parts of the computer installed on it (or connected to it using cables):
  • CPU,
  • RAM,
  • hard disks,
  • CD and DVD drives,
  • as well as other devices such as
    • sound card,
    • video card,
    • TV tuner and

All devices of a personal computer are enclosed in a housing and are powered by a power supply unit or a battery.

For the convenience of working with a computer, they are also connected to

• keyboard,
• monitor,
• speakers and
• other useful devices.

The software part of a personal computer consists of

• operating system and
• application software.

The operating system allows you to launch the hardware complex and achieve its smooth and precise operation. Application programs are the most useful and most important parts of the software and hardware complex, since it is with their help that computer users perform their tasks on a personal computer.

Thus, if you see and read this text, this means that in your computer all of the above software and hardware elements work harmoniously, clearly, uninterruptedly and in an interconnected manner.